Adult Mitzvah Corps:
Israel July 3-14, 2005
Combining these three pillars of Jewish life, the Tzevet Mitzvot: Adult Mitzvah Corps was established by the Commission on Social Action (CSA) of Reform Judaism to provide an intensive experience of social action, study and worship. For the first time, this program took place in Israel, July 3-14, 2005.
Our Mission
As Reform Jews, we are driven by our vision of a world redeemed by justice, mercy, and peace, and our role in working toward such a world. We educate our children to perpetuate those values. We pray with these dreams in mind. We act in North America and beyond to give life to these dreams.
As Reform Zionists, we are committed to the State of Israel: that it may flourish in safety, while striving to express the highest moral ideals of the Jewish people. We recognize the interdependence of Jews living in the Diaspora and those residing in Israel as well as our partnership in shaping Jewish destiny.
The Adult Mitzvah Corps journeyed to Israel to integrate our devotion to the State of Israel with our wishes for justice and peace in the homeland of our people. We wanted to understand more about Israeli society, its hopes, its hardships, and its efforts to enact the noblest visions of the Jewish people. And we wanted to be part of those efforts by learning about and participating in Israeli projects that responded to the needs of those who are struggling. Upon our return, we continue our mission to help Reform congregations and individual Reform Jews in North America become aware of some of the most fruitful responses to social problems in Israel, projects in which they can participate, either from afar or when they travel to Israel.
Our Program
The CSA partnered with the Association of Reform Zionists of America (ARZA) and the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism (IMPJ) to create this educational and inspiring journey. We had 16 participants in this unique program, which was led by Rabbi Marla Feldman, Director of the
Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism.
The experience included:
- Meetings with scholars, activists and community leaders to learn about social justice issues in Israel, which included Rabbi David Ellenson, President of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion; Leonard Fein, Founder of MAZON and Moment Magazine; and Anat Hoffman, Director of the Israel Religious Action Center.
- Worship and home hospitality with members of IMPJ congregations.
- Hands-on social action projects with Israeli organizations serving the needy.
- Travel and sightseeing in numerous communities.
- An inspirational Shabbat in Jerusalem.
- Special options designed specifically for “first-timers” who had not been to Israel previously.
